Police search for women in theft ring

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police said three women stole more than $6,000 worth of designer sunglasses from at least three eye care centers across Charlotte.

The crimes were caught on video.

Store manager Janie Blackstock said the thieves had a system to get the goods.

"They would cover for each other, they had a strategy where they were going to put the frames, how long they were going to be in here," Blackstock said.

Surveillance video shows a woman in pink quickly grab something out of her shirt.

She then cut the security tags off the sunglasses and minutes later, she stuffed a few pairs of sunglasses down her shirt.

Then, the woman, wearing a ball cap, snatched more glasses before slipping them down her shirt.

The trio also stuffed their pants and purses with glasses.

When employees watched the video, they noticed the women were regulars at their store and they managed to quickly identify them.

It didn't take CMPD detectives long to nab one of them.

Margaret Smith, 40, was arrested Wednesday on two felony larceny charges.

Tonight, police are on the lookout for the other two.

WSOC